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Having problems with your Nikon COOLPIX L3 Digital Camera ?

Lens error. lens does not retract like it should. wont take pictures.

Answers :

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera\015\012\015\012This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include “E18 lens error”, or “lens error, restart camera”. Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.\015\012The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many Canon's, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.\015\012A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.\015\012Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.\015\012The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:\015\012Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.\015\012Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.\015\012Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.\015\012Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.\015\012Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in “no heat” setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).\015\012Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.\015\012Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.\015\012Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

Lens error. lens does not retract like it should. wont take pictures.

Lens Error My cameras battery was low but I kept taking pictures until the camera shut off by itself. The lens didn't retract all the way and now when I try to turn my camera on it makes a clicking noise like the lens wants to move but it doesn't and on the back screen it states a lens error. I am not sure how to resolve this problem I have charged the battery and taken it out. I unfortunately do not have the manual on me.

I have exactly the same problem with my camera, except there is no error message - just the screen is off (bat is full). i cant find a soultion anywhere in the manual or online. Any help on this would be much appreciated. ...
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'Zoom Error' Hi, I recently bought a Fuji FinePix s3000 Digital Camera. It took amazing pictures the first month or so, but recently I turned the camera on to find 'Zoom Error' across the LCD screen. I am unable to take pictures, and the lens wont Retract. I was hoping there would be a simple solution to this problem rather than a costly repair, seeing as how it was a very nice camera. Any Idea how to fix it?

Oh boy you are not going to like this but this is a problem that all fuji finepix s3000 will have I fixed it myself but only with a ton of patience and knowing what I was doingthe problem is that there is a gear in the lens motor as ...
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System error turn camera on green light comes on as per normal functions ok to that point then lens retracts like it is switching off green light comes on and flashes with system error.if you hold the camera to your ear when all this is going on you can hear noise from within the camera before it starts to retract and green light starts to flash with system error on screen.this happens on all functions.you can still look at pictures already taken this funtion works ok.just can,t take photos any

Hi\015\012the problem that causing this is:\015\012there is some pressure to the lens\015\012\015\012did it fell?\015\012probebly there is a fault in the lens \015\012\015\012sorry cant help\015\012\015\012good luck ...
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The problem is\015\0121- some dirt somehow got on the outside of the lense. After it was retracted fully in, it prevents the camera from opening again. When you turn it on, if it opens a little bit, try to pull it out NOT too hard and let go ...
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HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \012probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional. ...
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Hi,You can open the camera, but it was not advisable for you to take it off cause of the tiny parts inside that can result of much more damaged on the unit. It is better to take the unit to the service center for thorough check and repair ...
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Hello my name is ashley, i have a question about my nikon coolpix s3000 camera. i accidently dropped it and now the camera lens got messed up everything else is working fine but is just the lens that is not working. The lens stays out when i turn it off and it wont go in again. and when i want to take a picture it says lens error or sometimes it does take the picture but is all blurry. and i want to know if this is fixable.

Oh you silly boy,,,,,we have all done that in our time,,,what you have done is knock the lens gearing out of wack,,,well its busted for good,, as it may well be,,, but if you genteelly push on the lens when you turn off the carera it may help it to " ...
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thing else works fine. I am able to view my pictures .but I can not
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hope you can help
Regards
Liam

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or ...
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Hi my son dropped my digital camera while the lens was extended and now it wont retract and it says zoom error also the shutter wont open fully or close, the lens is at a slight angle and wont budge do i have to take it to get repaired or can i pull it apart myself
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